Mariners-Tigers Preview

The Detroit Tigers continue to roll at home and Justin Verlander
has been a big help in that regard.

Verlander looks to win his eighth start at Comerica Park as the
AL Central-leading Tigers continue their three-game series with
the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Verlander (13-6, 3.28 ERA) takes the mound after Detroit (63-55)
rallied for 5-3 win over Seattle (61-58) on Tuesday. The victory
moved the Tigers three games ahead of Chicago in the Central and
improved their home record to 39-19.

Detroit's ace has certainly enjoyed his starts at home, going
7-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 11 outings at Comerica Park. The Tigers
are 9-2 in those starts. He's looking to get back on track,
though, after giving up five runs in each of his last two home
starts.

Verlander was stellar in his most recent appearance, limiting
Boston to four hits while striking out eight in eight innings of
a 2-0 victory Thursday at Fenway Park.

The right-hander threw 123 pitches - four off his season high -
but still was strong late in the game, retiring three straight
batters after allowing a leadoff double in the eighth.

"He was in complete control of the game," catcher Gerald Laird
told the Tigers' official Web site. "He had all his pitches
working, in and out, and when it came in crunch time in the
eighth, you're looking up and the radar gun says 100 mph. You
just don't see that very often."

Verlander is 6-2 with a 3.35 ERA against the Mariners, but he
struggled against them on April 17, allowing six runs in 7 1-3
innings of a 6-3 loss. Adrian Beltre had two doubles against him
in that contest.

Detroit, which has won five of eight, managed only one run and
five hits off Seattle starter Felix Hernandez on Tuesday, but
scored four times in the eighth off Mark Lowe, including two
unearned runs. Miguel Cabrera was 3 for 4, hitting a go-head,
two-run single in the inning.

Cabrera is hitting .390 at home this year, going 9 for 14 (.643)
in the last three games.

Rick Porcello allowed one run in 5 2-3 innings, but did not
receive a decision. He did, however, lower the rotation's ERA in
the last five games to 1.65.

After the Tigers took advantage of Seattle's bullpen in the
series opener, they may not have to wait long to get to the
Mariners' relievers Wednesday with Ian Snell (0-1, 8.78) taking
the mound.

Snell is winless in his last four starts and in three outings
since joining Seattle from Pittsburgh. He gave up eight runs and
allowed two homers in six innings of an 11-1 loss to the New
York Yankees on Thursday.

Snell is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA against the Tigers. He faced them
on June 12 with the Pirates and allowed two runs and 10 hits in
seven innings of a 3-1 defeat.

The Mariners have lost four of five.

Ichiro Suzuki had his fourth four-hit game of the season Tuesday
and is batting .390 in his last nine games.

36roots

** CONFIRMED **ALSEATTLE 3DETROIT 1 FINAL

Aug 19 9:48 PM

36roots

ALAT DETROIT - SCORING UPDATESOLO HOME RUN BY CARLOS GUILLEN (5) TO RIGHT CENTER WITH 1OUT IN THE 6TH OFF IAN SNELL.CURRENT SCORE: SEATTLE 3, DETROIT 1DUE UP FOR DETROIT: M CABRERA (.336, 1-FOR-1, BB)